West Bengal's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) has announced a massive exercise to verify the state's voter list, with a staggering 1.36 crore voters being called for hearings under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process. This follows the recent publication of the draft electoral rolls.
CEO Announces Completion of Draft Stage
Addressing the media at a press conference held after the draft rolls were made public, CEO Aariz Awasthi confirmed the scale of the upcoming verification process. He emphasised that the state election machinery has successfully completed the initial SIR exercise within the stipulated timeframe set by the Election Commission of India.
The release of the draft rolls marks a critical step in purifying the electoral database, ahead of any future elections. The SIR process is a focused drive to include eligible voters, remove duplicate or ineligible entries, and correct any errors in personal details.
What the 1.36 Crore Figure Means
The call for 1.36 crore voters—which translates to 13.6 million individuals—for hearings indicates the extensive scope of the revision. These voters are likely those whose entries have been flagged for potential discrepancies, new applications, or objections raised by political parties or other voters.
During the hearings, these individuals will have the opportunity to present their documents and arguments before designated electoral officers to either confirm their inclusion or settle any disputes regarding their registration.
Next Steps in the Electoral Process
With the draft rolls now in the public domain, the focus shifts to claims and objections. The period for filing claims for new registrations or objections against existing entries is now open. The hearings for the 1.36 crore voters will form the core of this resolution process.
The final electoral roll will be published only after the conclusion of all hearings and the subsequent disposal of all claims and objections. This rigorous process is designed to ensure the integrity and accuracy of the voter list, which is the foundation of free and fair elections.
The efficient completion of the SIR draft stage within the deadline, as highlighted by the CEO, underscores the administrative preparedness for the crucial revision work that lies ahead in West Bengal.
